Victor tugged her sleeve. “Problem? Don’t agree?”
“Fine, fine. Whatever. Let go,” she said flatly, swatting his hand and shifting further.
Victor’s smile lingered but faded as his eyes swept the gawking passengers. Their gazes immediately dropped.
Outside the exam hall, crowds swarmed.
At the entrance, Alarieka turned. “I’m heading in. You can go.”
“Sure.”
Victor suddenly reached out, ruffling her neatly styled hair with his palm.
Just before Alarieka could react, Victor withdrew his hand, chuckling, “Don’t be mad. I’m transferring top student’s luck to you–it’ll boost your scores. Anyone I pat on the head aces exams.”
Instantly, nearby students and parents swiveled their heads, eyes widening with undisguised awe.
Alarieka’s brow twitched. She nearly snapped back, but today was the National College Entrance Examination–stay graceful, not irritable.
So she muttered: “Get lost.”
As she turned toward the entrance, Victor caught her arm.
“Alaricka, I’ve got commitments these two days. Can’t wait for you after exams, nor escort you tomorrow.”
She shot him a puzzled look: “Go do your thing.”
She’d never asked him to anyway.
Victor seemed to read her thoughts, amusement crinkling his eyes: “Alaricka, ace it without me. Bring home that National Exam Top Scorer title.”
More heads turned, scanning for whoever dared claim victory before the first test.
For once, Alarieka didn’t hide her smile.
“Just wait. I’ll reclaim it.”
With the exam being a national event, reporters swarmed outside venues. The striking pair drew immediate attention–cameras pivoted while journalists interviewed others.
After their bold declaration, reporters sprinted over, thrusting microphones forward.
“Hello! Capital TV here. Mind a few questions? Are you both candidates? We overheard your National Exam Top Scorer goals! Seems you’re confident–care to share?”
Microphones and lenses zoomed in.
Alaricka and Victor exchanged glances, speaking simultaneously:
“Nonsense.”
“National Exam Top Scorer.”
The first was Alaricka’s, the second Victor’s.
Victor clearly knew nothing of humility–daring to say something so bold on camera. Had they seriously claimed the top spot, they’d dominate trending topics before finishing the first test.
As the reporter beamed, Alaricka cut in deadpan:
“He said that, not me. Ask him about being top scorer.”
Lenses and mics swung to Victor.
He stiffened, then stated solemnly: “Nonsense. We were joking.”
The reporter’s smile froze: “Oh? Well… any words of encouragement then?”
Shi Yao turned his strikingly handsome face toward the camera. “The title of National Exam Top Scorer belongs to every student taking the National College Entrance Examination. Though I’m not a candidate, I wish you all outstanding results.”
The reporter couldn’t withstand Shi Yao’s dazzling looks, blushing as she hurried away.
Alarieka Huston frowned at Shi Yao. “Is this wise?”
“What do you mean?”
Alaricka glanced toward the crowd, nodding at the reporter’s camera. “Aren’t people searching for you? Shouldn’t you avoid these lenses?”
Shi Yao chuckled dismissively. “Relax. They… I mean, they already know I’m here. I’ll slip away before they catch me. Focus on your exam.”
As Alarieka turned to leave, Shi Yao spoke slowly. “Actually… are you okay?”
Alarieka paused slightly, spinning around with calm, clear eyes. “What?”
Shi Yao remained silent, watching her intently.
Alarieka Huston knew Shi Yao was referring to everything that happened months ago at the Mcintosh Piano Competition. She wasn’t surprised he knew–she’d never tried hiding it from anyone around her. Some things just couldn’t be kept secret.
The incident had blown up spectacularly due to certain factors. Though few might know the full story, even her neighbors would mutter about her face and name.
There was no way Shi Yao wouldn’t know.
She had no intention of running from her painful past.